Recognition of EU professional qualifications

Find out how you can apply for the UK protected titles of CEng MICE, IEng MICE or EngTech MICE if you are already a professionally qualified civil engineer in another EU member state.

ICE continues to welcome applications from EU citizens for recognition of their professional qualifications following the UK referendum decision in June 2016 to leave the EU.

The rights of citizens of EU member states for recognition of their professional qualifications in the UK remain unchanged until negotiations to determine Britain’s future relationship with the EU are complete. During this time, ICE will be working with the UK government and European bodies to support ICE members’ interests, welcome members from other EU member states, and maintain the benefits arising from international mutual recognition. We will endeavour to give members and potential members as much notice as possible of any change to this recognition route.

Is this route right for me?

Your right to EU recognition is determined by EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications which supports the free movement of professionals across the EU.

This route is suitable for practising civil engineers who are already professionally qualified in another EU member state and want to work in the UK using the title CEng MICE, IEng MICE or EngTech MICE.

Registration is not a legal requirement to practise as an engineer in the UK, but CEng MICE, IEng MICE and EngTech MICE are protected titles which cannot be used without Engineering Council registration and ICE membership.

EU recognition for a protected title is not automatic. We will undertake an individual assessment of your level of existing knowledge, experience and competence against ICE standards for the relevant grade based on the information provided in your application. There will be further stages of assessment if your application is not initially successful.

Even if you are eligible for EU recognition, you can choose to qualify by ICE Professional Review instead. This may be of particular interest if you are already training with ICE, or if you are planning to work outside the UK now or in the future. This is because agreements to facilitate registration with other institutions usually require members to have qualified directly and not on the basis of recognition.

Am I eligible for EU recognition?

To be eligible to apply to ICE for this recognition, you must:

Be an EU citizen or holder of EU rights

Intend to work in the UK as a civil engineer using one of our protected titles: CEng MICE, IEng MICE or EngTech MICE

Be able to communicate effectively in English in order to practise your profession in the UK

Already be fully-qualified to practise the profession of civil engineer in your home member state before coming to work in the UK. Evidence of the formal qualifications that give you access to practise your profession will be required from the relevant authority in your home member state.

The criteria which determines whether you are already fully qualified to practise depend on whether the civil engineering profession or the professional title that you hold is regulated or unregulated in your home member state. These criteria and how to obtain your evidence of formal qualifications are explained in our guidance on recognition of EU professional qualifications.

You may not be eligible if you had UK academic qualifications or UK professional experience before getting qualified in your home member state, so please check with us first if this is the case. Email your CV and the details of your academic and professional qualifications to erp@ice.org.uk

Fees

There is an application fee for this route and an additional fee for a compensation measure. Please check our application fees webpage for current costs.

Successful applicants must pay an initial entry fee for Engineering Council registration and the ICE membership subscription fee for that year (prorated depending when you join). Annual subscription fees must then be paid for both registration and membership to retain your protected title. Please check our subscription fees webpage for current costs.